What it does
The Racing Act 2002 (the Act) is the foundational statute for the organised racing industry in Queensland. Its core operative provision is s 7, which designates the Racing Queensland Board (the Board) as the single “control body” for three codes: thoroughbred racing, harness racing, and greyhound racing. Section 81 then states the Board’s primary statutory function: “to manage its codes of racing”. That function is elaborated in s 10, which requires the Board to act in the best interests of the three codes collectively while still having regard to the interests of each code individually. The list of matters that fall within that function is long and non-exhaustive: identifying strategic issues (s 10(3)(a)), negotiating agreements (s 10(3)(b)), setting capital-expenditure priorities (s 10(3)(c)), developing marketing plans (s 10(3)(d)), making recommendations to the Minister (s 10(3)(e)), collaborating with the Racing Integrity Commission on integrity matters (s 10(3)(f)), and responding to ministerial referrals (s 10(3)(g)).
The Board’s powers are equally broad. Section 11(1) gives it every power necessary or convenient to perform its primary function, plus the specific powers conferred by s 82 (as control body) and the general powers of an individual (contract, property, staff, etc.). Importantly, s 11(3) requires the Board, when a provision of the Act refers to “a control body”, to exercise that power separately for each code unless the statute expressly permits a collective approach. This “code-by-code” discipline is reinforced by s 63, which applies when the same entity is approved for more than one code.
A second, parallel track in Chapter 2, Part 2 allows the Minister to approve other eligible corporations as control bodies for new or additional codes of racing. The approval process (ss 45–62) is rigorous: the applicant must supply a detailed business plan, evidence of suitability, criminal-history checks for associates, and a draft strategic and operational plan. The chief executive assesses suitability (s 55), public objections are invited (ss 49–50), and, where competing applications exist, a mediated agreement is attempted (s 52). The Minister’s ultimate decision (s 59) must be satisfied that the code is suitable and the applicant is the “best qualified and most suitable” body. Once approved, the new control body is subject to the same governance, reporting, and integrity obligations as the Board.